NCAAF Picks: Stark contrasts in playing styles is one of the characteristics that sets college football apart from the NFL and Friday night offers one of the most extreme examples as the record setting Air Raid offense of the Washington State Cougars will invade Stanford to take on a Cardinal team that is a throwback to another time in which defense, a punishing ground attack, and the occasional play action pass was the ticket to success.
The Cardinal will host the Cougars at Stanford Stadium on Friday night with coverage on ESPN Starting at 9 PM ET.
A Sad Halliday for Wazzu
Washington State is coming off a 60-59 home loss to California as QB Connor Halliday threw for a NCAA record 734 yards and six TD’s but it all went to waste after a missed 19 yard field goal by Quentin Breshears to make for an excruciating defeat. Washington State is 2-4 straight up, 3-2 against the spread, and 2-3 under the total. Their porous defense ranks 105th nationally for points allowed and has undermined their top ranked passing attack.
Stanford Leaves Back Door Open
Stanford is 3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS, and 0-4 under the total after their 17-14 loss at Notre Dame in which they allowed a 23 yard TD pass with a minute to play. Stanford continues to struggle on offense and ranks 96th overall in the nation which has put an increased burden on their defense that ranks 2nd overall nationally.
Matchup and Pick
Washington State has been a strong road team as of late with nine payouts in their last 12 away games as, surprisingly enough, just four out of their last 19 away games have gone over the total. Stanford has been a decent home value on The Farm however with five payouts in their last eight home games with just two out of their last seven home games going over the total.
Stanford has covered the spread in four out of their last six games against the Cougars with just two out of those six games going under the total. Washington State has had their best success in this head to head series at Stanford with five payouts in their last seven visits including two consecutive covers with four out of the last six meetings at Stanford between the Cougars and the Cardinal going under the total. We like Washington State to stay within the number and the game to stay under the number.
